Ryder ch2.1-ch2.

5
Single-particle relativistic eq
Speaker: , Twang-Hao Zhang

Outline
1.Relativistic notation
Introduce the relativistic notion and 4 vector.

2.Klein-Gordan equation
3.Dirac equation: SU(2)&rotation group, SL(2,C)&Lorentz group
4.Prediction of antiparticles
5.Construction of Dirac spinor :matrices

Relativistic notation
Introduce 4-vector and relativistic notation
Any theory of nature should be consistent with relativity, as well as with
quantum theory.
Define: contra(up)-,co(down)-variant vector

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group

Invariant interval w/Einstein convention:

Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

 Relation b/w contra- and co-variant is through #$

#$
=

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation

Differential operators:

SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

 4-momentum of a particle:

&
&
giving the invariant as they contract:

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)

With the unit = = 1:

SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
(1)

Using the notation - for #

Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

Outline
1.Relativistic notation
2.Klein-Gordan equation
Scalar particles are described by K-G equation, but it arises the difficulty of interpretation that probability
is not positive definite, and negative energy states exist. It is concluded that K-G equation is not suitable as
a single- particle eqution.

3.Dirac equation: SU(2)&rotation group, SL(2,C)&Lorentz group

4.Prediction of antiparticles
5.Construction of Dirac spinor :matrices

Klein-Gordan Equation
A particle with no spin : the wave equation is obtained from (1) by
substituting:

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation

Then we get the K-G eq( = = 1):

SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group

&
Note that substituting (2.15) into /2

= (non-relativistic approx)
yields the free particle Sch equation:

Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

 The probability density of Schr dinger eq is:

and the corresponding probability current is:

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation

They obey a continuity equation:

=>
=?

+- =0

What are the corresponding j and for the K-G eq ?

Ans:

SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

 Then we can get the continuity eq:

We have a problem immediately:, given by (2.20),unlike expression (2.18)

for Schr dinger eq, is not positive definite.
The interpretation of K-G eq as a single-particle eq, with wave-function ,
therefore has to be abandoned. In ch4 we will reinterpret it as a field eq.
There is another problem: the solution to (2.12)is

the solutions contain negative energy!

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

Outline
1.Relativistic notation
2.Klein-Gordan equation
3.Dirac equation: SU(2)&rotation group, SL(2,C)&Lorentz group
Dirac equation describes spin , and may be derived by SL(2,C).Dirac equation possess positive
probability density, but has negative, as well as positive energy states. Massless spin particles are shown
to obey the Weyl eaution.

4.Prediction of antiparticles
5.Construction of Dirac spinor :matrices

10

Dirac Equation

nd
Unlike K-G eq(2

st
order, and holds for particles of any spin), it is a 1

order, and holds only for spin particles.

It may be derived from the transformation properties of spinors under
the Lorentz group.
We will review the connection b/w rotation group and SU(2) , the
connection b/w SL(2,C) and the Lorentz group.
Introduce the idea of spinors.

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

11

SU(2) and the rotation group

We know that a rotation(orthogonal) matrix preserves the length of a
vector.
Rotation matrices of 3x3 forms a group, denoted as O(3).
Unitary matrices also form a group, denoted as U(n).
Ex: a rotation about z-axis is

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group

Similarly, rotation about x,y are listed on page 31.

Note that these matrices are not commute!

Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

O(3) is non-Abelian, its a Lie group(continuous).

12

 The generators are defined by:

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group

A finite rotation about an axis n through an angle is denoted

Dirac spinor

Commutation relation:
[ G , H ]=iGHJ J

Prediction of
antiparticle

(2.33)
13

 A SU(2) matrix can be written as

Relativistic
notion

This is regarded as the transformation in 2D complex space with basic

O
spinor = (M & ) ;

K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group

M
&

R
Through (2.41)-(2.44), we can show that ~ and ~
&
&
calling this matrix -H

&
M

M &

Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

14

 Construct a traceless 2x2 matrix transforming the same way under SU(2)
like H:
Relativistic
notion

where are the well known pauli-matrices.

R
X
=

h is Hermitian, and the transformation: h

preserves the
Hermiticity, tracelessness and determinant, if USU(2).
X
So det h = det :

K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group

M
An SU(2)transformation on( ) O(3) transformation on().
&

Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

15

G]/&
Through (2.53)-(2.54), with a=
,b=0 we can see that there is a

correspondence b/w SU(2) matrix and O(3) matrix:

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation

In terms of the generators ^ and ^ we may write:

Similarly we can get all three components:
They have the same structure!
[G /2, H /2 ]=iGHJ J /2 (2.33)

SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

16

 There is responsible for a global topological distinction b/w SU(2) & O(3).
Increasing the angle by 2 gives U -U, RR
There is two-to-one mapping:

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

17

SL(2,C)&Lorentz group
Similarly o the correspondence b/w SU(2)&O(3), there is a
correspondence b/w SL(2,C)&Lorentz group.
Pure boost Lorentz transformation

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

18

 Boost generators:
Relativistic
notion

Rotation generators in 4x4 matrix notation:

K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group

The most general Lorentz group is composed of 3 boost and 3 rotation,

their commutator are:

Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

19

 Pure Lorentz transformation do not form a group ! (K do not form a

closed algebra.)
Make a guess: because the commutators are satisfied by

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation

So there should be two types of spinor, Lets define the generators:

SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

20

 States transforming in a well- defined way will be labelled 2 angular

st
nd
momenta (j,j), the 1 corresponding to A, and 2 to B.
Relativistic
notion

Define 2 types of spinor:

We denote the spinor and (,) are the parameters of a rotation and
pure boost, transform as

K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

21


This spinor is denoted and transforms like

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)

These are inequivalent representations of the Lorentz group. They are

related by
Note that det M = det N = 1, and they forms a group of SL(2,C), it has six
parameters, for the matrices are of the form

SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

22

 Parity operation: v
-v is called (polar) vector; J J is called pseudo vector(axial vector)
It follows that (j,0) and (0,j) representations become interchanged, (j,0)(0,j)
under parity. And hence .
O
If consider parity, we need 4- spinor: = ( ) ,

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group

Under parity transform as

Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

23

 Fundamental group for particle is not the (homogeneous) Lorentz group,

but the inhomogeneous group (Poincar group), consisting of Lorentz
boosts and rotations and also translations in space and time.
Consider a boost ( = 0) of (2.78) and relabeling the 2- spinors m ,
o . R,L stands for right, left. We have:

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)

With some algebra, we can get :

m =

qrsr-
&s qrs

SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group

0
.
t m

(2.85)

Prediction of
antiparticle

Dirac spinor

o =

qrsw-
&s qrs

0
t o

(2.86)

24

 Suppose that original spinors refers to a particle at rest, m (0), o (0)

and the transformed one to a particle with momentum p, m (), m ().
Since one cannot define its spin as either left or right, so m (0) = o (0),
with a little more algebra we can rewrite (2.85) & (2.86) into the matrix
form:

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)

Defining 4-spinor: = (m ()

O
())

and 4x4 matrices:

SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
Prediction of
antiparticle

Eq (2.90) becomes:

This is the Dirac eq of massive particles with spin .

Dirac spinor

25

 In the case of massless particles, from (2.89) the eq decouples into two
eqs, each for a 2-component spinor
Relativistic
notion

This is called Weyl eqs, and m (), m () are Weyl spinors. Since for a
massless particle, x = , these eqs read :
y measure the component of the spin in the direction of
y-
The operator
momentum, and this quantity is called helicity.

K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

26

Outline
1.Relativistic notation
2.Klein-Gordan equation
3.Dirac equation: SU(2)&rotation group, SL(2,C)&Lorentz group
4.Prediction of antiparticles
The hypothesis that the neagtive energy states are filled leads to the successful prediction of
antiparticles.

5.Construction of Dirac spinor :matrices

.

27

Prediction of antiparticle
We learn that K-G eq suffers from 2 defects: prob dens is not positive
definite, and negative energy states occur.
Substituting # for # in (2.94) gives:
#
#

#
Applying #

=0

again to (2.96) :

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation

(2.96)

SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

Symmetrize the above we get:

28

 Relativity requires that the energy-momentum-mass relation be satisfied,

and therefore that each component of satisfies the K-G eq :
Therefore

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation

And

#
Lets construct a probability current , and see if the density is positive.

Through (2.96) to (2.103) and define the current:

The current is conserved.

SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

29

The density

is positive !!!
Relativistic
notion

What about negative energy states ? not so lucky L

From (2.94), we see that a Dirac particle at rest obeys

K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)

x
The energy eigenvalue of

are +1,+1,-1,-1 corresponding to

This catastrophe was turned by Dirac into a triumph.(why?)

SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

30

 An e in a positive energy state may jump into a negative energy state,

and then cascade down to = , emitting in the process an infinite
amount of energy.
Diracs solution to this problem relies on the fact that electrons have spin
and therefore obey Paulis exclusion principle .
He suppose that the negative energy states are already completely filled.
Dirac sea is the vacuum; so on Diracs theory vacuum is not nothing,
rather an infinite sea of negative energy spin particles !
w
r
+ ( )

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

31

 It turns out that bosons also have antiparticles, but requires treating the
K-G wave function, as a quantized field.
Dirac eq is no longer a single particle eq! the only consistent philosophy
&
is to regard the Dirac spinor as a field, such that gives a measure
of the number of particles at a particular point.

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

32

Outline
1.Relativistic notation
2.Klein-Gordan equation
3.Dirac equation: SU(2)&rotation group, SL(2,C)&Lorentz group
4.Prediction of antiparticles
5.Construction of Dirac spinor :matrices
It is shown how to construct spinors which satisfy the Dirac equation, and the transformation properties

of bilinear forms are studied, as well as various algebraic identities involving spinors and matrice.

33

Construction of Dirac spinors: algebra of

The Lorentz transformation properties of bilinear expressions.

is a scalar quantity :

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group

It is easy to see that is invariant under Lorentz transformations.

Moreover, under parity transformation m o , so , and it is

a true scalar(does not change sign under space reflection)

Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

34

Define 4x4 matrix :

Relativistic
notion

In arbitrary basis it is defined by

K-G equation

is invariant under Lorentz transformations, but changes sign under

parity. It is called pseudo scalar quantity.
#

behaves like a 4-vector under rotations and under parity we can

see that

is a polar vector, and it may be shown that

an pseudo vector

behaves like

SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

35

 Summarizing:

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

36

 Construction of an arbitrary state of motion of a Dirac particle, the plan

wave sol of Dirac equation for a single particle at rest is:
Relativistic
notion

1
0
x
x
is in the standard representation: =
0 1
This can be obtained by chiral representation:

K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
Prediction of
antiparticle

In standard representation,

Dirac spinor

37

 For a Lorentz boost in standard representation is:

And the corresponding plane wave spinors are:

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation
SU(2)&O(3)

The normalization of the spinors:

SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
Prediction of
antiparticle
Dirac spinor

38

 From (2.96) and (2.136) , satisfy:

The adjoint spinors obey:

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation

The projection operator, it projects out energy states.

SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
Prediction of
antiparticle

r + w = 1

Dirac spinor

39

 Trace formulae: Tr 1 = 4, Tr( - )( - ) = 4 -

Using:
Adopting the slash notation:

Relativistic
notion
K-G equation

Then it is easy to show:

SU(2)&O(3)
SL(2,C)&Lorentz
group
Prediction of
antiparticle

(formula 2.51 will be referred to when calculation scattering cross section)

Dirac spinor

40

Thank you !

41